We have to confront and defeat the evils in our midst

Jan 04, 2009 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

By AFC Leader
Raphael Trotman

Fellow Guyanese, on my own behalf, and that of the executive and members of the Alliance For Change, I extend to you all a Happy New Year and best wishes for 2009.

We all have high expectations that this new year will be better than the last, but it has to be said that success and change will not come about unless we all believe in it, and are prepared to get behind the process of reforming this country from within every household, street, community, village, and town.

The year 2008 began with similar greetings and expectations, but the peace was shattered by the heavy sound of gun fire and the screams of the innocent who were senselessly gunned down in January and February, 2008 at Lusignan, and at Bartica.

The tranquil lives of thousands of us were disturbed by these events, and many communities such as Buxton suffered the ignominy of having their village besieged and their crops and property destroyed.

Allegations of torture and brutality, and “roughing-up” became commonplace in the daily lexicon, as the administration, unmindful of their greater responsibility to uphold the law and rights of citizens, pursued those they deemed responsible for these criminal activities.

To date we still await some explanation or evidence as to what did transpire at Lindo Creek, where 9 persons also brutally lost their lives.

Most disturbing has been the introduction and passage of laws which can only be described as repressive, and by the end of the year there was a dark and foreboding pall of fear and distrust, which still hangs heavily over this nation.

I pray that we have seen the last of the horror of such brutality, and we will now begin to see a brighter, more promising future of change, change that we can all believe in.

At this time we must recognize and pay respect to all who fought to protect our freedoms, to the many who died senselessly because those who had the responsibility to protect us failed in their duty, and to all who have persevered and continue to persevere selflessly, because their patriotism pushes them to realize their dream of a free, united and peaceful Guyana; a Guyana where we are not segregated, discriminated against, or described as Indo, or Afro, Chinese, Indigenous, Portuguese, or Mixed, but simply as Guyanese.

This coming year will not be an easy one, despite the government’s senseless and irresponsible claim that the global financial crisis will not affect Guyana.

We all know that it has affected all of us in some measure. We will also have to face the reality that crime will continue to rise, and because of the ineptitude of this administration, discrimination, maladministration, victimization, and even more floods and damage to property will be visited upon many. We will however have to confront and defeat these evils in our midst.

The AFC will continue in 2009 to fight for social justice and equality for all.

• We will fight to ensure that the rule of law is not only written in books, but known, understood and upheld by all;

• We will fight to ensure that the Guyanese populace is properly educated and enjoys the right to know and access information from every and any medium of their choice.

• We will fight to ensure that members of the security forces regain the respect they deserve, by firstly ensuring that they themselves respect the law and moreover the citizens that they are to serve and protect.

• We will fight to ensure that the rights of workers are respected and can enjoy better wages and working conditions;

• We will fight to ensure that monies approved in the national budget are not squandered and stolen, but applied sensibly to ensure that the people of Guyana benefit directly through better social programmes including housing, roads, drainage, security, education, and economic relief to farmers and the many others suffering from disasters such as flooding.

In this regard the AFC will continue its political agenda as stated in our parliamentary agenda, and elsewhere, by pursuing among other things, and to the end, the Freedom of Information Bill, the demand for the establishment of all Rights Commissions, a reduction of the VAT, the strengthening of the business and farming communities, and the restoration of a vibrant and independent civil society.

More particularly, the AFC will concern itself with the welfare of our youth who continue to drift in a sea of hopelessness and despair, and with the poor, elderly, and down-trodden, who we encounter every day and who remind us that they are the forgotten ones of this administration.

This work will continue to take us through every village, community and region of Guyana, and to our brothers and sisters abroad.

It is patently obvious that there has to be a transformation of the way in which the system of governance in Guyana is organized. This reform cannot come simply by tinkering at the top by placing a few politicians here, and there, in some committees and commissions, or even in the cabinet, or by pretending that our National Assembly is our greatest example of a proper functioning democracy. This change has to come at the most important level; that is from the people.

People must have freedom of choice in their villages and communities, with the accompanying right to raise and spend revenue as they see fit. This is why we in the AFC believe that simply having Local Government, and later National Elections, without fundamental changes, will keep us tied to the past. This is the kind of change that the people of Guyana have to demand and expect of their leaders.

It is the change that lessens the influence of the few, and replaces it with the power of the multitudes.
We in the AFC care, and with every available resource, will continue to do whatever we can, to spread our message of change and hope.

We will listen to your constructive criticisms and adapt accordingly. The process of change is natural and belongs to the people; we are just its messengers, you the people, are the change. It is for you to believe in your own power, and to find the will and the courage to step out, and up. In the words of Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Events taking place around the world have given us new hope, energy, and inspiration to believe that the seemingly impossible in Guyana, is in fact, quite possible.

You can become that change that we in the AFC already believe in. I close by calling on all Guyanese to open their eyes, to rekindle that light of hope, to remember that your dreams can become reality if you believe in the power of change!

I ask you all to continue to honour your country and our symbols of nationhood; obey the laws, and ensure that they are obeyed by all and Love, understand, and respect each other for who we are.
Our collective quest is for a united and prosperous Guyana. We can be different, and yet still a nation of united people.
May God bless Guyana, and may God bless us all.